A Clinical Study to Compare Combination of Aliskiren+ HCTZ to Irbesartan+ HCTZ or Amlodipine+ HCTZ or HCTZ Alone in Obese Hypertensive Not Responsive to HCTZ 25 mg

A 12-week Randomized Double-blind Parallel Group Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Combination Aliskiren With HCTZ Compared to Irbesartan or Amlodipine With HCTZ or HCTZ Alone in Hypertensive Patients With BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 Not Adequately Responsive to HCTZ 25 mg

To evaluate the blood pressure lowering effects of the combination of aliskiren 300 mg and HCTZ 25 mg in obese patients with essential hypertension inadequately treated with HCTZ 25 mg, compared to irbesartan or amlodipine with HCTZ or HCTZ alone.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with essential hypertension
• Patients with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

• Severe hypertension
• History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension
• History of Hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident.

Other protocol-defined inclusion exclusion criteria also apply.